Media by Associated Press – En foto del 1 de junio del 2022, el quarterback Deshaun Watson de los Browns de Cleveland durante una práctica en Berea, Ohio. El sábado 25 de junio del 2022, Watson se reunirá la próxima semana con oficial de disciplina de la NFL. (AP Foto/David Richard)
A joint hearing between the National Football League and its players’ association is expected to continue Thursday, a third day, to determine Deshaun Watson’s eligibility.
The star quarterback has not played since 2020 since being accused of sexual conduct in what now has turned into 25 civil suits filed against him. The accusations range from sexual assault to inappropriate behavior in massage sessions in the Houston area.
Last week 20 of the lawsuits were settled, and another was previously dropped. The other four suits are being taken to trial. The NFL is expected to push for a yearlong suspension on top of sitting out last season, multiple reports said.
Watson, 26, was benched by the Texans last season and has since been traded to the Cleveland Browns, who surrendered three first-round picks and gave Watson $230 million guaranteed.
Fractured relationship
Prior to Watson’s acquisition, the Browns and Baker Mayfield had a rift with rumors in the media. Of course, who knows what happened behind closed doors? But Mayfield requested to be traded prior to Watson’s trade becoming official, even after there were reports the Browns were no longer pursuing Watson.
Mayfield said he’s open to a return in the event Watson misses the season, but the Browns will have to reach out to him. He still wants to be traded and has “moved on” from Cleveland.
“We’re ready to move on, I think — on both sides,” Mayfield told reporters at his youth camp in Oklahoma.
Mayfield is 29-30, having started 59 of 60 games he’s appeared in since the Browns selected him first overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was 11-5 in 2019 and has thrown for 14,125 yards, 92 touchdowns, and 56 interceptions in his career.
Top 5 receiver
The Washington Commanders made a commitment to Terry McLaurin with a three-year extension worth up to $71 million, which makes him a top 5 paid receiver in the league. He gets a $28 million signing bonus, and 76.4% of his extension is guaranteed, ESPN reported.
McLaurin, 26, was a third-round pick in 2019 and has started 46 games across three seasons. The Ohio State product has 22 catches for 3,090 yards, 141 first downs, and 16 touchdowns over his career, which includes consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
RB to teach law class
It isn’t uncommon for players to fulfill their degrees during their careers, but instead, Cincinnati Bengals running back Trayveon Williams is going back to Texas A&M, his alma mater, to co-teach a law class.
It started as a joke, but Williams will be an adjunct professor to co-teach with Alex Sinatra, a sports attorney, and business consultant. Law students may be surprised to see a 5-foot-8, 206-pound teacher in their class on name, image and likeness, college athletics, and athlete advocacy.
“Having someone who has been in that system, who can relate, and who can bring a certain stamp of actual, real-life engagement in that world, I feel like I can be beneficial,” said Williams, who played for the Aggies from 2016 to 2018.
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